SBS students build their university experience through SBS Pathways, which encompasses four areas of experiences and development: Academic, Co-Curricular, Experiential, and Career/Professional Development. In Academics, students choose majors and courses, and may earn certificates or minors; in the Co-Curricular area, they actively pursue their interests and leadership opportunities; in Experiential Learning, students may pursue opportunities such as study abroad and domestic exchange, civic engagement and service learning, and being a teaching or research assistant; and in Career and Professional Development, they engage in building their professional profile through workshops, internships, student employment, and work experience. Through the portfolio approach of SBS Pathways, students reflect on and communicate over their entire college career on how they are building their own unique integrated whole.

To support their development, all students in the college are strongly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor at least once every semester. Academic advisors are available to assist students with questions or concerns that they have as they progress through their academic careers. This includes advice on course selection; departmental, college and university requirements; career and professional development; assistance with academic problems; and referral information about other services.

Each program in the college has a chief undergraduate advisor who facilitates advising to students concerning the major. Advising regarding college requirements, general academic advising, and information concerning other academic matters (e.g., repeat options, repeat course substitutions, late course adds, late course drops, academic discipline) and programs within the college are handled through the Social and Behavioral Sciences Advising Resource Center in 128 Thompson Hall.

For further information on advising services are available on the college's website at www.umass.edu/sbs/advising-sbs.